mixing saltwater.

so i did the math and found out for every 3 gallons of water i should add around 1.5 cups of salt. my question is, should the salinty and specific grav in the "new batch" be around the same parameters, as my tank before i add it?

because doin the tests now, my display is around 31 for salinity, and 1.023 for spec grav.

while my new batch of SW is way up like around 40 ppt and 1.032 , however i did just mix this up like 15 minutes ago, and its got a rio in it now...

what do you guys think?

 

1st I would Make sure that the temp of your new batch of salt water is the same as your display tank temp before testing.( This does make a difference in your reading )

2nd Yes let your new batch mix longer, I would let it mix at least 2 hours before testing it.JMO

3rd Yes your new batch of SW should be the same as your display tank unless your are trying to raise or lower your salinity of your display tank.

...................................................................................... John

 

thanks for the tips fletch, my new batch is up to 6 gallons and its been mixing for a full day, and i brought the temp up, however the readings are still off the charts.. ive just checked my converstion chart again, and its all good at 1/2 cup per gallon.. anyone have a better chart? ive been using instant ocean...

 

I also use IO salt and I have always found that the 1/2 cup is just a little too much for 1 gallon. I have a 5 gallon bucket I use to mix water in and I have made a custom measuring cup that is just shy of 2.5 cups. That gives me a 1.025 mix. If you use a consistent container to make your mix, that is what I would suggest. I mix mine at night and put a small powerhead in, by morning it is mixed and the heat from the powerhead has brought the temp up. Hope this helps.

Mike

 

it sure did thanks mike, so what im thinking about doin, is adding some RO to my mix to bring down the grav/salinity, and ill try tinkering around with it.. So would you guys suggest that? adding RO untill i get the salinity i want, and then adding that to the tank?

 

Sounds good :thumb_up:
Scott

 

I 2nd That ;D

 

IO is probably the least reliable salt to use in turms of salinity being consistant for each bucket and even within each bucket